substantial

/səbˈstænʃəl/ formal

Say it: sub-STAN-shul

1. adjective Of a considerable size, amount, or importance.
The company made a substantial investment in new technology.
2. adjective Concerning the most important and real aspects of something; tangible.
There are no substantial differences between the two proposals.
3. adjective Strongly and solidly built.
They lived in a substantial brick house on the edge of town.

📖 Seen in the wild

The company reported a substantial increase in profits for the last quarter.
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✏️ substantial in a sentence

She inherited a substantial fortune from her aunt.
The storm caused substantial damage to the coastal communities.
To be a successful candidate, you need substantial experience in management.
We need to see substantial progress by the end of the week.
The lawyer argued that there was no substantial evidence of his client's guilt.
He ate a substantial breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast.
Her research represents a substantial contribution to the field of medicine.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

considerable significant major sizable hefty consequential material large

considerable · often interchangeable, but focuses slightly more on a large degree or amount.

significant · stresses importance and consequence more than sheer size.

major · highlights importance relative to other, smaller things.

sizable · focuses purely on large physical size or quantity.

Opposites: insubstantial, negligible, minor, trivial, meager

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'substantial' comes to us from the Latin 'substantia', meaning 'being, essence, or material'. It originally meant 'of or relating to substance', emphasizing reality and essence. Over time, the idea of having physical substance led to the modern, more common sense of being large, solid, and important.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

substantial amountsubstantial increasesubstantial evidencesubstantial portionsubstantial contributionsubstantial damage

'Substantial' is a strong, formal alternative to 'big' or 'a lot of'. It implies not just size but also solidity and importance. Be careful not to confuse it with 'substantive'. 'Substantive' refers to the core meaning or essence of something (e.g., 'substantive talks'), while 'substantial' refers to its size or degree (e.g., 'a substantial lead').

Word family: substance, substantially, substantiate, insubstantial

💬 Quick answers

What does 'substantial' mean in simple terms?

It most often means large in amount, size, or importance. For example, a 'substantial meal' is a large one, and a 'substantial change' is an important one.

What is the difference between 'substantial' and 'significant'?

'Substantial' usually emphasizes size, quantity, or solidity. 'Significant' emphasizes importance or meaning. A substantial pay raise is large in amount, while a significant one has important consequences.

Is 'substantial' a formal word?

Yes, 'substantial' is generally considered more formal than words like 'big' or 'large'. It is well suited for professional, academic, and official contexts.

What's the difference between 'substantial' and 'substantive'?

'Substantial' refers to size or amount. 'Substantive' refers to the essential core or substance of an issue, as in 'substantive negotiations' that address key points, not minor details.

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